Introduction to Comicbooks as Literature

Course aim

This course will introduce students to the particular narrative strengths of the still-image, sequenced, visual format used in comic books and provide perspectives on the directions of comic books in Australia.

Course content

The course will discuss the developing distinction between comics, graphic novels, graphic narratives and cartoons. In doing so it will trace the history of cartoons as the basis for the first comics to appear in Europe and North America, will examine the first popularisation of comic books into serialised format in the USA and the later split between fictional and non-fictional comics. In addition, this course will briefly trace the recent proliferation of comic books into cross-media forms such as the Super-Hero franchise films and the burgeoning genre of animated documentary films.

This course will provide a basis for students to produce and interpret their own comic books, scripts and story boards for films and computer games.

Textbook(s)

McCloud, S 2017, Understanding comics: the invisible art, Harper Collins, New York, NY

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Critical analysis, Portfolio

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 4A)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.